Switch-actuating device for electric carpet-sweepers



1. R. VANDER PUTTEN.

SWITCH ACTUATING DEVICE FOR ELECTRIC CARPET SWEEPERS.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT 14, 1917.

1,391. ,501 PatentedSept. 26, 1921.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN R. VANDER PUTTEN, OF NEW PHILADELPHIA, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE WISE- MCCLUNG MANUFACTURING COMPANY,

PORATION OF OHIO.

OF NEW PHILADELPHIA, OHIO, A COR- SWITCH-ACTUATING DEVICE FOR ELECTRIC CARPET-SWEEIPERS.

Application filed September 14, 1917.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, JOHN R. VANDER PUTTEN, a citizen of the United States, residing at New Philadelphia, in the county of Tuscarawas and State of Ohio, have invented a new anduseful Switch-Actuating Device for Electric Carpet-Sweepers, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in switch actuating devices for carpet sweepers and has more especial reference to a device of this character arranged to be operated by the foot.

The object of this invention is to provide a device of this character having an operating pedal located near the floor and arranged to be operated by the foot.

A. further object is the provision of an electric carpet sweeper with a switch actuating device located adjacent the floor and and arranged to be operated with the foot, the foot pedal being so located with reference to the floor that it may be easily operated without raising the. foot entirely off of the floor.

With these objects in view the invention consists in the novel construction and arrangement of parts, hereinafter described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims, it being understood that various changes in the form, proportions, size and minor details of construction may be made within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a side elevation of a carpet sweeper provided with my improved switch actuating device.

Fig. 2 is a section on line 2-2, Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a detail perspective view of the operating lever.

Similar numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout the several figures of the drawings.

Referring more especially to the construction illustrated in the accompanying drawings, the numeral 1 indicates the nozzle, the numeral 2 the fan casing and the numeral 3 the motor casing of an electric carpet sweeper of any usual and approved con- 7 struction which is mounted upon rollers 4 Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 20, 1921.

Serial No. 191,486.

and arranged to be moved over the carpet or other surface to be cleaned by means of a handle 5.

The motor casing 3 is provided with a switch indicated generally by the numeral 6 which is of the usual construction and is provided with a chain 7 arranged to be pulled outward to either open or close the swltch, means being provided for bringing the chain back into the normal position after each operation thereof. It is, of course, understood that this form of a switch is common in devices of this kind.

The present invention has to do with means for operating this chain to open or close the switch without the necessity of the operator stooping over to grasp the chain and for this purpose the foot lever 8 is pivoted interme iate its extremities to the lugs 9 formed upon the casing; the upper extremity of said lever being twisted at right angles asindicated at 10 and rovided with a bifurcated portion 11 which receives the free extremity of the chain 7 the usual button 12 upon said chain holding the same in position as shown in the drawings. The lower extremity of the lever 8 is provided with the outwardly disposed treadle portion 13 arranged to be depressed by the operator in order to draw the chain 7 outwardly from the switch to either open or close said switch as desired. It will, of course, be understood that the treadle portion 13 may, if desired, be turned in the opposite direction from that shown in the drawings, in which case the toe ofthe operator would be placed beneath the treadle to raise the same'when it is desired to open or close the switch. With either of these constructions it will be seen that a very simple and efiicient means is provided for operating the switch 6 to start or stop the motor without the necessity of .the operator stooping over to operate the switch and it will be seen that the treadle 1.3 is so located with reference to the floor that it is not necessary for the operator to raise the foot entirely off of the floor to operate the switch, and the operator is thus not thrown off of his or her balance when operating this switch with the foot.

I claim:

1. In an electric carpet sweeper of the character described, a switch controlling the motor of said sweeper, a chain operatively connected to said switch to open or close the switch and a foot lever pivotally mounted upon the casing, of the sweeper and comprising a substantially vertical long arm provided with an upper bifurcated end to receive the end of the chain and a substantially horizontal short foot treadle located in proximity to the floor.

2. In combination with a vacuum cleaner having an electric motor for operating it and a casing for the motor, of a switch for controlling the motor circuit mounted on the motor casing, and an operating lever for the switch pivoted adjacent the switch and projecting to the side of the motor casing whereby it is adapted to be operated by the foot of the operator.

3. In combination with a vacuum cleaner having an electric motor for operating it and a casing for the motor, of a switch for controlling the motor circuit mounted on the motor casing, and an operating lever for the switch pivoted adjacent the switch and projecting beyond the motor casing whereby it is adapted to be operated by the foot of the operator.

4. In combination with a vacuum cleaner having an electric motor for operating it and a casing for the motor, of a switch for controlling the motor circuit mounted on the motor casing directly behind the motor, and an operating lever for the switch pivoted adjacent the switch and projecting to the bottom of the motor casing whereby it is adapted to be operated by the foot of the operator.

In testimony that I claim the above I have hereunto subscribed my name.

JOHN R. VANDER PUTTEN. 

